Saffas play prominent roles in team’s victories

Springbok wing Bryan Habana scored his first try for Toulon which helped them secure a 22-20 victory at Bordeaux-Bègles in Saturday’s Top 14 clash. Habana, who only recently returned from a long injury lay-off, scored his side’s only try after running onto a pass from former Bok flank Juan Smith.

Earlier, Habana – who also had Michael Claassens and Danie Rossouw alongside him in the starting line-up and former Bulls teammate Heini Adams in the opponents’ run-on side – was sent to the sin-bin after an illegal play at a ruck.

In other Top 14 action, former Cheetahs centre Robert Ebersohn helped Montpellier to a 36-30 victory over Grenoble, who had prop Albertus Buckle and lock Hendrik Roodt in their matchday 23. Montpellier’s victory moved them to the top of the table.

Elsewhere, former Springbok loose forward Jacques Cronje scored in Racing Metro’s 37-7 victory over relegated Biarritz in Paris. Bok lock Juandre Kruger was also in Racing Metro’s starting side. In Perpignan, wing Wandile Mjekevu and scrum-half Dewaldt Duvenhage helped the home side to a 22-12 victory over Oyonnax, who had South African hooker Jody Jenneker in their ranks.

Meanwhile in the Aviva Premiership, Saracens strengthened their position at the top of the table after securing a hard-fought 28-24 win over Northampton at Allianz Park. Springbok hooker Schalk Brits set up Kelly Brown for Sarries’ second try while former Stormers and Bok scrum-half Neil de Kock was also in the London-based outfit’s starting XV and Namibia flanker Jacques Burger started among the replacements.

Saracens suffered a setback last week when it was revealed that South African loose forward Ernst Joubert would be sidelined for the rest of the season after having surgery on a knee injury sustained in their Heineken Cup victory over Ulster.

And finally in PRO12 action, Johann Muller and Robbie Diack helped Ulster to an impressive 58-12 victory which moved them into second spot in the standings. This after Munster – who had wing Gerhard van den Heever, loose forward CJ Stander and tighthead prop BJ Botha in their starting side – suffered a shock 22-5 loss at home to Glasgow, who included former Lions back-row Josh Strauss in their run-on side.

Elsewhere, Alan Solomons’ Edinburgh – who started with Andries Strauss, Cornell Du Preez, Izak van der Westhuizen and Willem Nel while Carl Bezuidenhout was among their replacements – suffered a 29-22 defeat at home to Cardiff Blues while former Cheetahs lock George Earle helped the Scarlets to a 27-20 home victory over Zebre.